Sheila
Sheila is a girl's name of Irish origin.
Meaning
Blind or devoted, derived ultimately from Latin Cecilia.
Origin and history
Sheila is the Anglicized form of the Irish name Síle, which itself derives from the Latin Cecelia. The name saw massive popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century. While its usage for newborns has declined significantly in recent decades, it remains a classic, recognizable choice.
Popularity in the United States
238,774 babies in the United States have been named Sheila since 1880. It ranks #170 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1469.
States where it is most popular
- NY (9.1 %)
- CA (7.1 %)
- IL (5.8 %)
- TX (5 %)
- OH (4.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 33 |
| 1910-1920 | 388 |
| 1920-1930 | 1,853 |
| 1930-1940 | 10,958 |
| 1940-1950 | 35,740 |
| 1950-1960 | 70,174 |
| 1960-1970 | 74,078 |
| 1970-1980 | 26,509 |
| 1980-1990 | 9,541 |
| 1990-2000 | 4,646 |
| 2000-2010 | 2,868 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,349 |
| 2020-2029 | 637 |
Famous people named Sheila
- Sheila E.: Musician, Singer
- Sheila Jackson Lee: Politician, Lawyer
Nicknames
Sheil
Fun facts
- Sheila originated as an English spelling adaptation of Síle, the Irish form of Cecilia.
- The name reached peak popularity in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s.